Aronui 2020 postponed
ARONUI Indigenous Arts Festival has postponed its two-week calendar of events in Rotorua which was scheduled to take place from September 8th to 20th. This is due to restrictions on large gatherings under COVID-19 Alert Level 2.
At this alert level, mass gatherings are restricted to 100 people, with all events needing to follow strict physical distancing procedures. With our head act currently on lock-down in Auckland under alert level 3, their schedule has been affected which impacts the opening plans for the festival. Rotorua is also on alert due to the visitation of a member from the Auckland cluster to our town in early August.
ARONUI Arts Festival Trust Chair, Mercia-Dawn Yates, believes “it is imperative at this time that we ensure the health and well-being of our performers, community, iwi and koeke”
ARONUI Festival Director Cian Elyse White led the difficult call, after careful consultation with the trust, funders, iwi leaders and the artists.
“I’m incredibly proud of the ARONUI team’s efforts this year and even though we are ready to press go on this inspiring calendar of events, the latest announcement of community transmission in Auckland has made us pause and carefully consider our next steps as a festival”. Ms. White says “When it comes down to it, the safety and well-being of our koeke, iwi, community and artists is paramount, and putting our people at risk is simply not an option.”
With events like the ARONUI Māori Market which has over 40 stalls, a team of 80 artists and an expected crowd of over 2000 people (in alignment with last year’s market numbers) the trust endorses the decision to hold off on the festival to avoid reducing numbers and lessening the impact of our kaupapa.
Te Arawa leader, Sir Toby Curtis, says “ARONUI is all about bringing people together to celebrate high-quality indigenous arts here in Te Arawa”. Although Tā Toby was looking forward to seeing Te Pikikōtuku o Ngāti Rongomai on stage with Hawaiki Tū, he believes that “if we aren’t able to be there safely and en masse to celebrate our people, we must postpone to a later date when we are free to do so”.
Ngāti Whakaue leaders Monty Morrison and Norma Sturley agree the postponement of ARONUI is a sensible decision. “The postponement is in the best interest of our koeke who are the most at risk demographic. Therefore, it is a decision that we commend the leadership on, and the team have our full backing”.
The postponement dates will be confirmed in the next month, however, Mercia-Dawn Yates & the ARONUI arts festival team remain hopeful.
“ARONUI isn’t ARONUI without the people, and we are building a legacy in this space. This is not a cancellation, rather a postponement, and I look forward to us coming together at a later date to celebrate, uplift and inspire through indigenous arts, when it is safe to do so, without any restrictions”.
Full refunds will be issued via. Ticketmaster who will be in touch directly with all ticket holders. Postponement dates will be released via. social media and on the ARONUI website at a later date. http://www.aronuiartsfestival.com
For further media enquiries please contact Johnsen Kiwi-Scally media@aronuiartsfestival.com
The following programme is postponed and new dates will be announced shortly.
Pōhiri
Date TBC
Te Papa-I-Ouru Marae, Ohinemutu
Te Arawa welcome artist from across Aotearoa who have come together to celebrate the commencement of the second Aronui Indigenous Arts Festival.
Cost:
FREE
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Pacific Dance NZ @ the Night Market
Date TBC
Night Market Outdoor Stage, Te Manawa, Cnr Tutanekai and Hinemoa Sts
An Aronui activation featuring Pacific Dance NZ at the Rotorua Night Market. Enjoy two incredible performances from up and coming Samoan dance performers.
Cost:
FREE
Whiti Hereaka - Māori Writer's Talk
Date TBC
McLeods Booksellers, 1148 Pukuatua St, Rotorua
Whiti will be reading the first chapter from her work in progress Kurangaituku. The
novel retells the story of Hatupatu and Kurangaituku from the bird woman’s point of view.
Cost:
$10pp
Ngā Kākano o Aronui - The New Works Project
Date TBC
Monarch Room, Prince's Gate, 1057 Arawa St, Rotorua
Come and celebrate the seeds of 5 brand new works from the local and national musical theatre and theatre makers.
Cost:
$35pp
Aronui Program Launch and Exhibition Opening
Date TBC
Penny Haka Gallery, Whakarewarewa
The Aronui Arts Festival team launches the 2020 program and celebrates the opening of a new Indigenous Group Show curated by Logan Shipgood.
Cost:
FREE
Taurite by Hawaiki Tū
Dates TBC
The Blue Baths, Government Gardens
Hawaiki TŪ present a powerful Māori dance work
‘Taurite’ embodying the virtue of balance and duality.
From:
$25pp
MAURI - A film by Merata Mita
Dates TBC
Basement Cinema, Hinemoa St, Rotorua
When she made Mauri, Merata Mita became the first Māori woman to write and direct a dramatic feature. Mauri (meaning life force), is loosely set around a love triangle and explores cultural tensions, identity, and changing ways of life in a dwindling East Coast town.
Cost:
$5pp
Aronui Māori Market
Date TBC
The Ruāpeka, Ohinemutu, Rotorua
Aronui Māori Market celebrates Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori Te Arawa styles with live music, arts, crafts, kids activities and of course, delicious kai!
Cost:
FREE
Te Toki o Te Arawa Mural
Date TBC
(Wall location TBC)
A local artist paints a famous Te Arawa leader who has influenced the arts. General public viewing is open from Weds Sept 9th to Sun Sept 20th.
Cost:
FREE
Lockdown Soul Sessions
Date TBC
Te Whakaruruhau, Te Puia, Hemo Rd, Tihiotonga
The Aronui Arts Festival team celebrates the musicians who fed our souls during lockdown by beinging them all together live and unlocked. Featuring Rewa Ututaonga, Krissie Knap, Russell Harrison and more famous locals. Tickets include buffet dinner.
From:
$100pp
Jasmine Pene @ Rotorua Night Market
Date TBC
Night Market Outdoor Stage, Te Manawa, Cnr Tutanekai and Hinemoa Sts
Having recently won the inaugural Te Manu Tito Waiata Rotorua Song Writing Competition Jasmine Pene is back at the Rotorua Night Market as part of an Aronui activation during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
Cost:
FREE
Arotahi
Aronui supporting indigenous arts development
Arotahi refers to the "fringe" events that are supporting the development of indigenous artists and performers.
Saturday Night Live by RBHS
September 11 - 19, 2020
Rotorua Boys High School
With a cast of majority indigenous students, Saturday Night Fever promises to be an fantastic production starring some of the best up-and-coming performing talent in Rotorua.
Official
video trailer
Mihi mai ki a Rosie Te Rauawhea Belvie and Matiu Hamuera who bring to life the essence of the Aronui Indigenous Arts Festival through our official video trailer. These two experienced performers tell us, while preparing for the video, they embraced the mauri (essence) of Ranginui (Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (Earth Mother). Their performance also harnesses the wairua (spirit) of Te Arawa Rotorua ancestors, Hinemoa and Tūtānekai.